Vulcan Energie Ressourcen GmbH, a German lithium company, opens a new laboratory location in Karlsruhe-Durlach. One of the reasons for the new opening is the expansion of the analytical laboratory technology. All competencies are to be bundled in-house in the future, enabling an increase in efficiency of the overall processes.
The new location is intended to provide new findings, particularly in the fine analysis of certain processes, and to promote rapid scaling of the technology developed in-house. In order to be able to guarantee further optimizations, especially in the filtering process of the lithium ions from the thermal water, specific tests are now to be relocated to the new laboratory. Vulcan thus intends to deepen its understanding of the process in order to gradually commercialize the production of the pilot plant. The laboratory in Durlach complements the laboratory capacity at the lithium production pilot plant site.
“The opening of the new laboratory site is a significant milestone for the future of our Zero Carbon LithiumTM project. With the expanded equipment and new capabilities, we are expanding our core competencies and will further optimize our patented lithium process in this central laboratory. The new fine-tuning of the processes consolidates the successful course of the regional and European mobility turnaround,” says Vulcan’s Managing Director, Dr. Horst Kreuter.
The six-strong team in Karlsruhe-Durlach is led by laboratory manager Dr. Angela Digennaro. The company is already firmly established in the region and works continuously with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology as an external service provider.
“To know that another young, innovative company from our ranks is on course for growth underscores the potential of our city. I am proud that people from here, have found a solution that strengthens the economic back of our region and radiates to Europe and the world.”
- Dr. Frank Mentrup,Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe
Managing Director of TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe GmbH, Jochen Ehlgötz added: “Vulcan shows how to intelligently bundle the advantages of our region. The intertwining of our strong university system with companies in the region offers a solution for both the transformation of mobility and the implementation of municipal climate concepts.”
The development of the new laboratory underscores the company’s growth trajectory to date. Only recently, Vulcan acquired the geothermal power plant in Insheim, thus becoming a producer of renewable energy and at the same time having another site for the pilot plant for lithium extraction. The company’s secondary listing, on Tuesday this week on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard segment, now also opens up corresponding investment opportunities for European investors. Vulcan is the world’s first company to enable CO2-free lithium extraction. The first industrial deliveries will start as early as 2024.
